Electric resistor



Jan. 27, 1931. F. s. sMlTH 1,790,173

ELET'RIc REsI-STOR Filed June 10, 1924 f- 1 lg. E5 sw 20 H J5 Z3 Vil E8 l in 6 D 16* l 4 I |Il Il J/ l Ja )j n a I L 1 l ,T u l1 3 Ar 67 L I, jf/ Ef f E Il. j

A '5' g j ||1 a ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 27, 1931 FRANKLIN S. SMITH, F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK ELECTRIC RESISTOR Application led June 10, 1924. Serial No. 719,160.

My invention relates to electric current resistors of the water tube type and is of a character-which adapts itfor use in connection with electric currents ofhighvoltage.

In the use of resistors of this type as heretofore constructed it has been found impractical if not impossible to maintain a substantially constant ohmic resistance because the flow of the current through the water column 1o or columns in the tubes causes an increase in the temperature thereof which in turn causes a decreased resistance to the flow of the Vcurrent; and it has been found to be necessary to limit the operation of such resistors to comparatively short intervals to prevent the boiling of the water in the tubes.

Hence the general object of the invention is to provide means whereby a water tube resistor may be maintained at a substantially constant ohmic resistance.

It is also an object of the invention to provide meansl whereby the water supplied to the tubes may be subjected to a cooling operation whereby the temperature thereof may be preventedfrom rising to a height suilicient to interfere with the successful operation ofthe resistor.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby the water after having passed through one of thetubes of the resistor structure is subjected to a cooling action before it is caused or permitted to enter and iow throu h the other tube or tubes.

A still furt er object of the invention, which is eneral in its nature, is to provide a simple, e cient and economical means which is adapted to maintain the Water within the tubes at a temperature sufficiently low to permit of the continuous use of the resistor for the purpose for which it is intended.

To these and other ends my invention comprehends the construction and operation as hereinafter described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawingr in which I have shown one convenient form of embodiment thereof. However, it will be understood that the invention is susceptible of embodiment in other forms of construction than that shown and that changes in the details of construction may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the said invention. t

In the drawing I have shown a sectional elevation of a structure embodying the invention. Referring to the drawing: 1 designates a post or standard of dielectric material having a table 2 upon its upper end. An electric motor 3 and a water pump 4 are supported on the table 2. By means of a coupling 5 the shaft 6 of the 'motor 3 is adapted to be connected with the shaft 7 of the water pump 4. The motor 3 is connected to the power line by means of a transformer 8 which is provided with the necessary insulation between the primary and secondary coils to insulate the motor supply line from the high voltage resistor circuit. The water from the pump 4 is conveyed by mea-ns of a connecting tube 9 to they outer ends of the coiled tube 10. The inner end of the coiled tube 10 is connected by means of an extension 11 to the lower end of a tube 12 of dielectric material, the upper end of which is connected to the lower end of a tube 13 the opposite end of which is connected to the outer end of the coiled tube 14, the inner end of which is connected by means of an extension tube 15 to the upper end of a tube 16 of dielectric material parallel and of the same length as the tube 12. The lower end of the tube 16 is connected by an extension tube 17 to the intake of the pump 4. The tubes heretofore mentioned other than 12 and 16 are of metal, preferably copper.

As electrolytic conduction, in general, involves chemical change a chamber 2O is provided from which the evolved gases may escape at the top thereof. This chamber also functions as an expansion chamber to compensate for changes in volume of the electrolyte.

The tubes l2 and 16 are connected in multiple by means of the cross-bars 21 and which are connected respectively with `the tubesll and 17 and 13 and 15.

Instead o water as the electrolyte, which is caused to circulate through the tubes 12 and 16 of lsolid dielectric, one of the well Mic known electrolytes, such as an aqueous solution oi copper sulphate maybe used. By the use of a copper sulphate solution the resistivity may be made as desired through the range available by concentration.

ln general the electrolytes have negative temperature co-etiicients, however, Mangan` nis liquid resistor hasan4 approximate con efficient of zero. This lllanganni liquid re.- sistor, described in Penders Handbook for Electrical Engineers, 1917 edition, wat page 469, comprises ll grams mannite, lll grams boracic acid, 0.0i). gram potassium chloride dissolved in suthcient water tomalre one liter;`

l llanganns liquid-resistor is usedin my apparatus a substantially' constant resistivity is maintained. y

ln order ,that the circulation `oiifairin contact with the system ot tubes may be accelerated l have inclosed the Liter within tubular member QG oi' insula` material- Which is open at both ends s sired a fan or other suitable device. not shown, may be Aprovided torblowing adrait of air through the tubular member 26 vhich,

i system, opercontacting with the tubesof the ates to cool the same. A n

The operation of the pump Il causes a constant flow ot' the electrolyte, i'irst throughthe tube coils l and from the latter to the resistor tube l2. vFrom the latter the electrolyte flows through the tube .coil la and thence through the resistor tube 16 bach to the pump A* l-V. This operation continues liust vas long as the pump is operated.

' From the foregoing it will be seen not only that the water is cooled after it leaves one resistor tube before it enters the other by reason of the flow thereot through the intermediate tube coils and lll but `also that cooling` of the water and ot the resistor tubes 1Q and 16 is accelerated by the causing of a stream of air to iiow through the .tubular member 26 in .contact with the tubes oiE the system. Y

By reason of the construction and operation as described it will be seen that if a given current of electrolyte flows through the two resistor tubes the temperature reaches a state of substantial equilibrium and that the resistance is practically constant as long` as the temperature of the ambient air and the rate of flow of water through the system of tubes remains unchanged. lt will be remembered that the conductivity of the electrolyte may beA varied to meet requirements. As will be understood the resistanceof the electrolyte in a resistor'- tube is directlyproportional to its length and inversely proportional to the cross sectional area of the column of electrolyte iiowing therethrough.

t will be evident that if a variable resistance is desired without changing other conditions vsuch variations may be obtainedrby means of taps, not shown, at suitable points along the resistors.

lt is obviously desirable that all sharp points and edges be eliminated or obviated 'and that all surfaces shall be rounded to such ient is l. In an electric resistance device, in combinatioin'two tubes ot dielectric material of substantially equal length and adapted to have passed therethrough a liquid resistor material, a heat exchange device connected to one end of the iirst ot said tubes to receive liquid resistor material therefrom and connected to one end of the second `of said tubes to pass the liquid rmaterial,after cooling, into said second of said tubes, and a heat exchange device connected to the otherend et the second of said tubes'to receive liquid resistor material thereiron'ivand connected to the other end ofsaid first of said tubes to pass the liquid material, after cooling, thereinto.Y y

2. ln an electric resistance device, in combination, a liquid circulating-system, including two tubes ofv dielectric material, spaced along the path oi' iow in said system, or receiving an electrick resistor liquid, the column of liquidin. each tube being adapted to form part of an electric circuit; and means for connecting the columns of liquid insaid tubes in parallel, said means including means for cooling the liquid after it has` passed through one of said tubes and .before it vpasses through the rother of said tubes, means for cooling the liquid after ithas passed through said other'of said tubesand before it Ypasses through said one of said tubes, and means for causing a circulation of saidv resistor liquid throughk said system.

3. In an electricresistoradapted to ybe operated continuously Withcurrents at relative ly high voltage, the combination of two .tubes ot equal length ot dielectric material, said tubes constituting parts of a liquid circulating system, the said system yincluding coils of pipe connecting'the adjacent ends of said tubes, and means for causing anv electric resistor liquid to flow Vthrough the said system, the said liquid after it has passed through one of said tubes being caused to vflow through the coils of. pipe connected to one end of one of said tubes before it passes into the other of said tubes. Y

4. .In an electric resistor adapted for continuous operation with current at relatively high voltage, the combination of a plural# ity of tubes of dielectric material, coiled pipes connecting adjacent ends of saidptubes, an electric resistor liquid within. the said dv-ielec tric tubes and within the said coiled pipes,

lmeans for causing the said liquid to flow in opposite directions through the said dielectric tubes, anda tubular member inclosing said tubes for guiding a cooling fluid yin thermal contact with said tubes.

5. An electric resistor comprising a plurality of tubes of dielectric material of equal length arranged in parallel relation to each other, coiled pipes connecting adjacent ends of said dielectric tubes, the connection of the said coiled pipes to the said dielectric tubes being such that after an electric resistor liquid is caused to flow through one of said dielectric tubes it flows through one of the said coiled pipes before it is caused to flow through the other of said dielectric tubes, and means for causing the same to flow through the said tubes, substantially as described.

6. In an electric resistance device, in combination, a plurality of tubes of dielectric material, means connecting the exit end of one of said tubes to the entry end of another of said tubes, said means comprising metallic piping arranged substantially in coils and adapted to have an electrical connection made thereto, means for connecting the exit end of said other or second-mentioned tube to the entry end of said first-mentioned tube, said means comprising metallic piping arranged substantially in coils and adapted to have an electrical connection made thereto, and means for circulating an electric-resistor-liquid through said tubes and coils.

7. In an electric resistance device, in combination, a plurality of tubes of dielectric material, means connecting the exit end of one of said tubes to the entry end of another of said tubes, said means comprising metallic piping arranged substantially in coils and adapted to have an electrical connection made thereto, means for connecting the exit end of said other or second-mentioned tube to the entry end of said first-mentioned tube, said means comprising metallic piping arranged substantially in coils and adapted to have an electrical connect-ion made thereto, means for guiding a cooling fluid into thermal contact with said coils, and means for circulating an electric-resistor-liquid through said tubes and coils.

8. In an electric resistance device, in combination, a liquid circulating system made up of tubing a section of which is of dielec tric material and having conined therein an electric resistor liquid, the column of liquid in said section being adapted to form part of an electric circuit, means operating independently of the heating of said column of liquid by the passage therethrough of the current flowing in said electric circuit for circulating said liquid through Said system, and means for causing the passage of a cooling fluid into thermal but indirect contact with said resistor liquid.

t-he other tube and adapted to have an elecy trical connection made thereto, metallic conduit means having a relatively large exposed heat-radiating surface for connecting the other end of one tube with the other end of the other tube, and means made of dielectric material forming a conduit about said circulating system for guiding a cooling luid in thermal contact therewith 10. In an electric resistance device, in conibination, means including a conduit of dielectrical material forming a liquid circulating system having therein an elect-ric resistor liquid, the column of liquid in which conduit is adapted to form part of an electric circuit; means for making electrical connections to the column of liquid in said conduit; a pump for eli'ecting movement of the liquid through said system; and means including a conduit of dielectric material for completing the circulating system and for preventing shortcircuiting of said electrical connections.

11. In an electric resistance device, in combination, means including a conduit of di-` electric material forming a liquid circulating system having therein an electric resistor liquid, the column of liquid, in Which conduit is adapted to form part of an electric circuit; means for making electrical connections to the column of liquid in said conduit; a heat exchange device for withdrawing heat ifrom said liquid; a pump for effecting movement of liquid through said system and through said heat exchange device; and means including a conduit of dielectric material for completing the circulating system and for preventing short-circuiting of said electrical connections.

12. In an electric resistance device, in combination, two tubes of dielectric material of substantially equal length and adapted to have passed therethrough a liquid resist-or material, means for electrically connecting the columns of liquid in said tubes in parallel, a heat exchange device connected to one end of one of said tubes to receive liquid resistor material therefrom and connected to one end of the other of said tubes to pass the liquid material, after cooling, into said other of said tubes, and a. heat exchangedevice connected to the other end of one of said tubes to receive liquid resistor material therefrom and connected to the other end of said other of said tubes to pass the liquid material, after cooling, thereinto, said two tubes and said heat exchange devices being connected so that the resistorliquid flows through one of said tubes in the same direction as the electric current flows through the column of liquid therein and so that the resistor liquid Hows, inthe other tube, ina' direotionfopposte'frorn the flow of electriocurrent. thongh the column of liquid in. said othex` tube.' In testimony that I clainifthe foiegoingas my invention, I have ,hereunto fsgned my name this 7th day of June, A. D., 1924.

Y FRANKLIN S. SMTH. 

